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Chapter 7 Cannon Ball

Alice POV

I couldn't believe that Lily was turning one. She was going to be a year old. It was amazing to see her happy around all of our new friends and family. I was also happy that James wasn't here to take any of this away from me. Instead, I get to share all of this with Jasper.

Today, Jasper and I have plans to go into town and shop for Lily's birthday party and to get her some presents. I would have got her some things sooner but Jasper said that he wanted to be there with me so he could pick out some things as well. He and I haven't been able to see much of each other in the past week. Our work schedules have both been crazy but today we will have time to catch up.

I knocked on the boys' door and waited for someone to let me in. It didn't take but a minute for Edward to let me. He took Lily from me in hopes to get her to laugh. Since the barbeque, he's made it his goal to get Lily to like him.

"Is Jasper ready?" I asked him as I watched him bounce her a little.

"I think so," he told me studying Lily. "He's in his room."

I walked down the hall and knocked on Jaspers door.

"Jazz, you ready?" I asked checking my watch.

"Yeah," he said opening the door and kissing me quickly. "Do you have your list?"

"Right in my pocket," I told him and patted my leg for emphasis.

As we walked back into the living room, Lily started to squirm away when she saw that Jasper had entered the room. Jasper picked her up and blew a raspberry against her cheek and she squealed with laughter.

"It's true she doesn't like me," I heard Edward mumble.

"Get over it, Edward," I told him and headed toward the door. "We'll be back in few hours."

After dropping Lily off at my parents house Jasper and I went into town. First, we got the paper plates and napkins. Everything that we would need for eating. Then we have to go and do the fun toy shopping. Going through the aisles and filling my cart with varies stuffed animals and baby dolls Jasper stopped me.

"Alice, I don't think that Lily needs all of these." He told me as he picked up a doll. "She's only one."

Sighing, I agreed with and ended up putting most of it all back. He laughed at me the whole time and I tried to talk him into letting me get her most of the toys. As I thought of not buying her all those toys gave me extra money to buy her clothes.

Before we went to the clothing store we stopped and at a local diner for lunch. It was then when we got to catch up and we didn't talk about work. I was having a great time. That is until I looked out the window to across the street. I placed my fork gently down and looked at the familiar looking man. I didn't even want to blink because I swear he looked just like James.

"Are you done?" Jasper asked paying the bill. "We should probably … Alice?"

I snapped my head to look at him and just nodded my head. I got out of the booth and headed out the door. When we got outside I scanned the street for the James look alike but I couldn't find anyone.

"Let's go and get her some clothes," I said trying to sound cheerful again.

He looked at me unsure for a minute, took my hand, and opened the car door for me. I took and deep breath to calm myself thinking that there was no way that It could have been him. He couldn't find me not with my mother's maiden name on everything.

I tried to forget about him when he walked into the clothing store B.A.B.Y. I picked out a few dresses and some long sleeve shirts for winter. Jasper appeared after leaving me to look around and came back with a green camo outfit.

"Umm," I said cocking my head to the side. "She's going to look like a boy. Don't they have it in pink or maybe purple?"

"Then it won't be a proper army uniform," he told me seriously but turned back to get a pink one.

Once we paid for our purchases, we finally decided that we should head on home. I sat back into the passenger's seat and stared out the window. I noticed a red car pull up by Jaspers side at a red light and that was when my fears were confirmed. It was James. As fast as I could I threw myself to the floor.

"Alice, what the hell," Jasper said startled.

"Drive right now, Jasper," she said in a pleading voice.

"What's going on?" He asked me as he started to take off.

"I got up slowly and looked out his window and I didn't see James or the red car anymore. I looked behind us and at the parked cars but I didn't see him.

"James is here," I told him in a whisper.

"What?" Jasper asked looking around but of course, he wouldn't know whom to look for. "What do you mean James is here?"

"I thought I saw him when we were eating lunch but I wasn't sure. I just saw him next to us, Jasper. He is here in Seattle and I need to get Lily and we need to leave," I said and starting crying at the thought of leaving Jasper.

"Alice, you are not going anywhere. I'm not letting you and Lily out of my life. I love you both too much," Jasper said. "I won't let him hurt you. Let's just get home and talk to Edward and your parents. The more people who know the safer you will be."

Jasper P.O.V

The rest of the car ride home was quiet. I was hoping that Alice was just imagining things and that she didn't really see James. I was so scared that something was going to happen. I could just feel that something was going to happen but thought that maybe I was just feeding off her nervous energy.

When we got home, Alice and I collected all our bags and quickly went inside. We made a beeline straight to my apartment. As we opened the door Alice froze and launched herself into the arms of a man that I have never seem before.

"Jacob, Jared, Kim, I'm just so glad that you're here and that you could make it. Wait, he followed you that has to be it. Jasper, he followed them," Alice getting hysterical again.

"What's going on?" Said the man who was holding her. From what she told me I'm guessing that he was Jacob.

"She saw James," I said sitting our bags down. "Carlisle and Esme are on their way."

"Have any of you seen James lately?" Edward asked the three visitors.

"Jared and I heard that he went to California for awhile but we haven't seen him since," Kim said to Edward.

"Oh…I'm sorry," Alice said. "Guys, this is my boyfriend Jasper. Jasper, these are my best friends from back home. Jacob, Jared and Kim. Jared and Kim are engaged."

"Actually," Jared said, "We got married."

I looked at Alice and she looked sad for a moment but then smiled and hugged her two friends. I knew that she would have loved to be there with them.

"After you left we decided that we didn't want to wait," Kim said still hugging Alice. "James did come by thinking you were going to be there."

Jacob had wondered over to me and stared at me as if he was trying to figure something out.

"Is there some place we can talk?" He asked me and led the way out of the apartment. "Don't you think that it's too soon for Alice to have a boyfriend?"

"Listen, I don't want any trouble. I love Alice and I love Lily as if she was my own. I know that you're her best friend and all but I'm taking good care of her." I told him quickly just wanting to go back into the apartment.

"Do you think James is here?" He asked crossing his arms.

"From the way she acted I would believe her," I answered him. "Do you think he'll find her?"

"I think he's looking for her. James, he doesn't give up until he has what he wants," he told me. "It's only a matter of time."

"Jacob, Jasper" Esme said walking quickly toward us with Lily in her arms. Once again, Lily reached for me and Esme handed her right over.

"Is James in town?" Carlisle asked.

"We think so," I said quietly so I would not wake Lily who was sleeping on my shoulder. "What do you think we should do?"

"I say let him find us," Jacob said cracking his knuckles. "He couldn't take me and Jared."

"Jacob Black," Esme said. "How many times do I have to tell you? Fighting is not the answer. However, this would be the one time we won't stop you."

Jacob rubbed his hands together and went into my apartment where he told Jared the news. I sat down in my chair and watched Alice interact with her old friends and her family. Edward was talking away with Jared and Jacob and it gave me time to think about how many people truly loved Alice. I realized that I could do this all day. Just watch her with the people that she loved.

"Um, it's getting late and we still need to get a hotel," Kim said quietly.

"Well, why don't you just stay here? Someone can take my room and the pull out," I said to them. "I don't want Alice to be alone tonight."

Everyone readily agreed, I guess that they did not want to be that far from Alice. Alice walked over to me and said goodnight to her friends. We walk up to her apartment and placed Lily in her crib.

"I'll just sleep on the couch," I told her so she wouldn't feel uncomfortable. This was a completely new territory for us.

"Jasper," she said and shook her head. "We are both adults and can share a bed. Besides, you're too tall to fit on my couch."

Before I could say anything, she led us to her bedroom. I sat on the bed nervously and waited for her come out of the bathroom before I moved. Once she came in with her pajamas on, she slid onto the bed behind me.

"It's okay," she whispered and turned off her lamp.

I lay down next to her and stared at the ceiling in the dark. It was a minute before she curled up next to me and laid her head on my chest. I heard her sigh contently and let her body relax. Placing my arm around her, I let my eyes close and listen to her even breathing.

Tomorrow is Lily's birthday party. I did not want any of us to worry about James. Tomorrow was a day to celebrate and I wasn't going to let him ruin it. Not tomorrow not on Lily's birthday..


There are only two more chapters left in this story. Next update around Monday.